English golfer Marco Penge says he is stepping away from the PGA Tour for the time being as he focuses on his health after a demanding stretch both on and off the course.
The 28-year-old announced the decision in a message posted to Instagram following last week’s PGA Championship, where he missed the cut after entering the tournament in solid form during his rookie season on the PGA Tour.
“This week didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but that’s golf,” Penge wrote. “Moving forward, I have decided that I am going to take some time off to get my health back to where it needs to be. Thank you for your support as always. I’ll be back soon.”
Penge has quietly built one of the more impressive early campaigns among PGA Tour newcomers this season. The Englishman has made seven cuts in 12 starts, highlighted by a tie for fourth at the Valspar Championship in March. He currently sits 83rd in the FedEx Cup standings and remains inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at No. 43.
Health Concerns Begin To Mount
Behind the scenes, the last several months have been physically and emotionally draining. Earlier this month, Penge revealed on X that he had been dealing with a sinus infection along with vertigo symptoms serious enough to require MRI scans of his brain and neck. The scans reportedly came back clear, offering relief after weeks of uncertainty.
“Thankfully, the images were great, and so a few of the doubts I have had have gone away, which is a big relief,” he wrote. “I’m battling to get fully fit again, and hopefully that’s not too far away.”
The timing coincides with a major transition in Penge’s personal life as well. He and his wife Sophie welcomed their second son, Romeo, on Feb. 24. The newborn spent 21 days in a Florida hospital NICU after being born with underdeveloped lungs before eventually being allowed to go home. The couple also has an older son, Enzo, born in 2024.
Adjusting To Life On The PGA Tour
At the same time, Penge has been adjusting to life in the United States while balancing the demands of a full PGA Tour schedule for the first time. Earlier this season at The Players Championship, he admitted that adapting to a new country had been difficult, even while living out a career goal.
“I feel like this is where I belong, where I was always destined to be,” Penge said in March. “I haven’t fulfilled my potential, but I’m trying my best to fulfill that.”
Penge’s rise over the last two years has been rapid. He won three times on the DP World Tour and pushed himself into Ryder Cup discussion during a breakout season in Europe. He finished 2024 ranked a career-best 29th in the world before making the jump to the PGA Tour full-time.
Mental Health Conversations Growing In Golf
His announcement also reflects a growing willingness among professional golfers to openly address mental and physical health struggles. In recent seasons, several players have stepped away from competition to recover from burnout, anxiety, or medical issues. The conversation intensified after the death of PGA Tour player Grayson Murray last year, prompting more players to speak publicly about the pressures tied to life on tour.
Veteran golfer Brendon Todd also stepped away for an extended period last season before returning this year under a medical exemption.
For now, Penge says the priority is simple: get healthy, regroup, and return when ready.
